The purpose of this group is to better our lives through music while increasing students’ individual leadership skills and also foster an environment of increased civic pride and responsibility. This is the organization for people who are looking to take their level of awesome to the next level.

Advisor: Derrick Hawks

Battle of the Books

This is a statewide competition designed to get students to read a wide range of books with a group of peers. Our groups are formed in the fall and teams read and meet throughout the school year. In the spring, we compete in the online battle with the hope of advancing to the Grand Battle in Marshalltown.

The purpose of this group is to better our lives through music. We encourage each other’s’ individual leadership skills and foster a collaborative environment of increased personal pride and musical artistry. The Choir Program stands for and are ambassadors of the integrity of Ballard High School.

Advisor: Peter Krum

Diamonds and Dudes

Diamonds and Dudes is a volunteer group, developing opportunities for BHS students to get out in the community. Every Wednesday the group goes to Ballard Creek Retirement in Huxley and plays bingo or does activities with the residents, or works at the Clothes Pantry or any other activity that is arranged.

Advisor: Jeriann McLaughlin

Drama

Drama offers students a fun opportunity to learn skills and socialize through the production of plays.

This group is open to any student who may have an interest in any of the many disciplines of engineering. We have visited ISU and toured the many engineering labs, spoke with professors and attended the career fair. We also plan to set up smaller visits to different places around Ames and Ankeny for our students to get a better understanding of what engineering really encompasses.

Advisor: Mr. Fletcher

Google Classroom: uw0r31

FCA (Fellowship of Christian Anybodys)

Our meetings are open to everyone. We start by mingling and eating food or snacks. Then we normally follow with a fun game and a message from a student at Ballard or other adults, college students, or teachers.

Our purpose is to spread the love of Jesus Christ through fellowship with our student body.

Twitter: @BallardFCA

Instagram: ballard_fca

FFA

The Ballard FFA Chapter was chartered on October 9, 2014 and currently provides leadership opportunities to members at local, district and state levels. The Ballard FFA Chapter makes a difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

The Ballard FFA Chapter is part of the Ballard High School Agricultural Education program. The program offers classes for high school students in the areas of animal science, plant science, agribusiness and agricultural leadership. All FFA members of the Ballard FFA Chapter are enrolled in at least one semester of an agricultural education class.

In addition to agricultural education coursework, members participate and keep records for individual supervised agricultural experience programs. These programs range from animal and wildlife entrepreneurships to landscape placements.

GAMECHANGERS at Ballard High School is intended to engage students in healthy behaviors. These behaviors include: being substance free, making healthy decisions with friends, and being a good influence in the school and community. Being a GAMECHANGER is a lifestyle. It is about challenging yourself and those around you to achieve more, value yourselves as individuals, and to make healthy choices.

Advisor: Kellie Boock

Twitter: @BallardgameC

Model United Nations

Model UN introduces students from around the country to diplomacy, negotiation, and decision making through various events, including simulations of the United Nations General Assembly. For fall and spring events, students become “ambassadors” from a country that is a part of the United Nations. As an ambassador, or delegate, students prepare draft resolutions, plot strategy, negotiate, resolve conflicts, and follow the rules of actual United Nations procedure. Model UN aims to help students become more involved in worldly issues through collaboration, research, writing, public speaking, negotiation, debate and global awareness. Students develop academic, social and leadership skills through this program.

The purpose of the BHS Student Council is to improve school spirit, provide service to the Ballard communities, and be a voice for the student body. Student Council members gain leadership training and knowledge through their work.

The Student Council is a student-run organization representing all four grade levels. Student Council members are responsible for planning and executing a variety of school spirit and community service projects. Ballard High School Student Council has been an IASC Honor Council since 2011 and an NASC National Council of Excellence since 2017.

Advisor: Catherine Mein

Wellness

The Wellness Committee sells healthy snacks during advisors, sponsors a wellness walk once a month and plans healthy activities for the BHS community.

Advisor: Jeriann McLaughlin

Writer’s Club

We advocate for BHS writers and artists whether they are students or staff. We encourage BHS people to submit their work to us for publication in our literary magazine, Scripturient. We currently publish once a year, in the spring.